Dollar soars to 6-month high versus Japanese yen

FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) — The U.S. dollar soared to its highest level versus the Japanese yen in more than six months Thursday, rising as the leader of Japan’s main opposition party continued to push for a further loosening of monetary policy by the Bank of Japan. The dollar soared as high as 81.25 yen and changed hands in recent action at 81.15 yen, up from 80.20 yen in North American trade late Wednesday. The yen last traded above 81 yen in late April. News reports said Shinzo Abe, leader of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, urged the Bank of Japan to push official interest rates below zero. Abe is seen as likely to become Japan’s next prime minister in elections expected next month.

Dollar soars to 6-month high versus Japanese yen

FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) — The U.S. dollar soared to its highest level versus the Japanese yen in more than six months Thursday, rising as the leader of Japan’s main opposition party continued to push for a further loosening of monetary policy by the Bank of Japan. The dollar soared as high as 81.25 yen and changed hands in recent action at 81.15 yen, up from 80.20 yen in North American trade late Wednesday. The yen last traded above 81 yen in late April. News reports said Shinzo Abe, leader of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, urged the Bank of Japan to push official interest rates below zero. Abe is seen as likely to become Japan’s next prime minister in elections expected next month.